Director of department of social services, attorney general
When someone is being investigated for illegally getting public assistance, certain government officials have special powers to look into it. The director of the department of social services or the attorney general can make people show up, answer questions under oath, and hand over documents related to the case. If someone refuses to cooperate, a court can order them to comply, and ignoring that order can get them in trouble with the court. Any information gathered during the investigation has to stay private — it can only be shared in a court case or with certain other government agencies. Sharing that information the wrong way is a class A misdemeanor.
Classifications stated in the statute. Actual outcomes vary.
570.410. of of social services, — investigative powers — improper disclosure of , . — 1. For the purpose of any investigation or relating to received or an for public assistance unlawfully , the director of the department of social services or any officer by him or her or the attorney general for the state of Missouri or any officer designated by him or her may , witnesses, their attendance, take , require s to written and require production of any books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, agreements or other documents or records which the director of the department or the attorney general deem relevant and to the inquiry.
2. In the case of by, or refusal to obey a subpoena d to, any person, the of any county of the state or the City of St. Louis, upon application by the department director or the attorney general may issue to the person an requiring him or her to appear before the department director or the officer designated by him or her, or the attorney general or the officer designated by him or her, there to produce if so ordered or to give testimony or answer interrogatories touching the matter under investigation or in question in accordance with the forms and procedures otherwise by the . Failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as a .
3. Information or documents obtained under this section by the director of the department or the attorney general shall not be disclosed except in the course of civil or criminal or to another or investigative agency, or to the divisions of the department.
4. The of improper disclosure under this section is a .
5. The of this section do not existing provisions of law and shall be as .
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Source & history notes
(L. 1987 S.B. 259 § 7, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Transferred 2014; formerly 578.387; Effective 1-01-17
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.